Here Is...

Eliana when I say,"Smile!"

and, all the furniture in our new house...

Can you see it?  I needed something to set keys on and stuff.  So, I know that that space is too big for this little table, but I also know it is too small for our coat bench.  Maybe a coat rack?  Do people have coat racks anymore?

Can I just say moving is hard?  It's hard to get things ready to go over there.  It's hard to get the place ready for our things.  It's hard to think about starting over, again, even if it is just around the corner (there is still organizing, figuring out where things ought to go, how furniture will fit, where will we keep our luggage, how about the Christmas stuff).  I am excited to be in this new house, but I don't like change.  Change makes me want to cry.  It makes me feel hormonal and weird and anxious. 

Paul says to the Christians in Philippi:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9

"Do not be anxious about anything..."  Maybe I should memorize this verse, chant it, write it on my forehead.  "...if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."  This part too.  Pretty good stuff (no surprise there).  I was ranting earlier about how stupid things happen to me (or, more accurately, I cause stupid things to happen) each minute of the day, which makes me mad and frustrated.  The response was that, no, stupid things weren't happening each minute, but I was thinking about the two stupid things that did happen each minute instead of just letting them go.  That is true.  I wish it weren't true.  Can I get to the point where it's not true?  Ah!  Paul says to think about things that are true...true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable...here is a place to start.  I will think,"I need to let that go."  I will tell myself,"I need to let it go that it is 10:26 p.m. and there are fools folks out there honking their horns like Brazil just won the World Cup again, while my baby girl is trying to sleep after not taking a nap today (what is up with that?!)."  I will let that go.  (Deep breath)  Ahhh.

I really would like to get to this place, this place of peace.  I am always all riled up inside.  That cannot be good for my inside, or my outside, or those who are on any side.  I need that peace, guarding my heart, that soldier marching, that sentry shielding the bad, blocking the ornery, wielding a sword at the enemy (even if it is myself!).  The promise is that the God of peace will be with me.  That is no small thing...